As Labour’s prominent education policy takes shape, advocates are calling on the government to expand free breakfast programs to encompass all primary-aged students, not just those attending traditional schools.
Political Editor Toby Helm reports that ministers are facing mounting pressure to ensure that students in special schools and alternative provisions are included in this initiative. The government plans to introduce a children’s wellbeing bill early next year, outlining the rollout of free breakfast clubs across primary schools in England. Officials suggest that this initiative, a cornerstone promise made ahead of the July 4 general election, aims to enhance students’ focus and aid in the broader fight against poverty, potentially easing the financial burden on hardworking parents by over £400 annually.
However, leaders from charities and organizations supporting students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) stress that the legislation must explicitly refer to “primary-aged pupils” to ensure that vulnerable children are not left behind. Many argue that families with disabled children often face more significant financial strains, putting them at a heightened risk of hardship.
Lindsey MacDonald, CEO of Magic Breakfast, a charity that serves over 200,000 children in England and Scotland, emphasized the necessity of making free breakfasts available to all kids: “It’s essential that every child has access to the opportunities a free school breakfast provides, so no child is left too hungry to learn.”
Stephen Kingdom, campaign manager for the Disabled Children’s Partnership, pointed to research illuminating the financial strain on families with disabled children. “When considering school breakfast initiatives, it’s critical to extend support to students in all types of educational settings, not just traditional primary schools. Failing to do so is simply unjust,” he remarked. He referenced a study showing that working couples with disabled children typically earn £274 less per week than their non-disabled peers, highlighting the need for these breakfast programs to support all families.
Theresa Allotey, CFO of the Agora Learning Partnership, which oversees ten primary schools in Hertfordshire and is set to open a new special school, added, “It’s crucial for the forthcoming legislation to be designed to maximize its reach and positively impact as many children and young adults in our educational community as possible.”
Advocates are looking to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to broaden the breakfast program to reach all primary-aged children in England, especially with Chancellor Rachel Reeves preparing to tackle a £22 billion budget shortfall in her upcoming address on October 30.
Labour’s election manifesto committed £315 million for breakfast clubs by 2028-29, yet specifics on the implementation model and anticipated participation remain vague. A food-only model, such as providing breakfast in classrooms, could potentially be more cost-effective than one that combines meals with childcare, which would require additional staffing.
MacDonald urged schools to adopt diverse food provision strategies, stating, “We want to see breakfast provision, not just breakfast clubs. This includes options like classroom delivery, late provision, and ‘grab ’n’ go’ formats, ensuring no child is too hungry to learn.”
Such initiatives could also support school leaders in tackling challenges regarding attendance, student behavior, academic performance, mental and physical health, as well as staff satisfaction and retention.
In response, a spokesperson for the Department for Education affirmed, “Breakfast clubs will ensure every child, regardless of their circumstances, is well-equipped for school and can reach their full potential by starting the day on a supportive note. We will collaborate closely with the sector as we develop the breakfast club program and will share further details in due course.”
